X-Book

Firing on Fortress Europe

Click Buy to Log in and see personalised pricing.

Send as a gift Get in the xigxag app

Listen to a sample

What to expect

On 6 June 1944, HMS Belfast supported troops in action on the beaches of Normandy in the campaign to liberate Europe from Nazi Germany.

This audiobook recounts this extraordinary story, focusing on the dramatic events of 6 June but setting the context of the ship's history in the Arctic Convoy Service and Battle of North Cape. It describes the build-up to D-Day as seen and experienced by Belfast's people, and explains her role in the longer Battle for Normandy.

Using first-hand accounts from IWM's rich collection of oral testimonies, diaries, and memoirs, HMS Belfast at D-Day brings to life her leading role in the largest invasion operation in history.


"Firing On Fortress Europe presents first-hand, personal accounts of members of HMS Belfast's crew alongside her log books to bring to life the role the ship played in the invasion in 1944."-- The Irish News

"A number of first-hand, personal accounts of members of HMS Belfast - the Royal Navy warship from which one of the first shots of D-Day was fired - have also been revealed in a new book, Firing On Fortress Europe, published by the museum. It presents the accounts from the ship's crew alongside her log books to bring to life the role the ship played in the invasion in 1944. Accounts, images, journals and recorded interviews reveal stories from King George VI visiting before HMS Belfast left British waters, to narrowly avoiding explosions, rescuing and treating the wounded and going ashore to clear the beaches."-- The Daily Mail

(P)2022 Headline Publishing Group Limited
Author Nick Hewitt
Narrator John Telfer
Duration 5 hours and 2 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781472297754
Format Audiobook
Publisher Headline
Genre Military history
Availability AU, GB, IE, US

About xigxag

xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK’s only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.

There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at £8.99. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from £3.99. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.

Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.

Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.